Railway track signal



Dec. 20, 1927.

F. W. CARTER RAILWAY TRACK SIGNAL Filed March 16, 1927 INVENTOR. Fran Zz'n WCarter, BY 0;

ATVTORNEY.

PatentedDec. 20, 1927. 3

UNITED STATES FRANKLIN WALDEN CARTER, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

RAILWAY TRACK SIGNALv Application filed March 16, 1927. Serial No. 175,821.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signals, and particularly to signals used on railways, including steam railways, street railways, and mine railways.

One object of the invention is to provide a signal which is simple in construction, strong and durable, and which will remain in proper position against unauthorized removal, or accidental displacement.

Another object is -to provide a device of this character which is adapted to be clamped on the tread portion of a. railway rail, whereby to suspend a danger signal over the center of the railway, and whereby the weight of such signal serves to increase the grip of the clamp on the rail.

Other objects and advantages will be ap parent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device, looking along a. railway, the rails being in section. V

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the'device removed from the rail.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional detail View of the lantern supporting hook and associated portion of the signal plate, on the line 4.-.l: of Figure 1. V

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents the rails of a railway, in connection with which the present invention is adapted for use.

A suitable length of angle iron 11 is pro-- vided, and riveted onto the transverse web thereof, and extending longitudinally thereof, is a strip of metal 12, of greater width than said web, the inner end of said strip being bent inwardly and upwardly to provide the ears 13, which extend away from the web, and are provided with openings receiving transverse pivot members 14. The other end of the metal strip projects beyond the end of the angle member 11, andis bent angularly, as shown at 15. for embracing engagement with one side of the tread of the rail 10. Disposed longitudinally on the strip 13 is a similar strip 16, having its inner end formed with the apertured cars 17 lying inwardly of the cars 13, and receiving the said pivot members 14 therethrough, whereby this strip 16 is capable of movement toward and away from the strip 13. The

outer end of the strip 16 projects beyond the angle member 11 and is angularly bent, at

18, to form the other portion of the clamp which is adapted to grip the tread of the rail 10. It will be noted thatthe outer ends of the strips 13 and 16 are so formed that when properly engaged with the rail tread, the angle member is extended upwardly across the railway, at approximately &5, whereby the outer end of said member lies directly over the center of the railway. Riveted to the upper end portion of the other web of the angle member 11 is a metal plate 19, said plate being preferably provided with a blue background, and having the words Stop and Danger, therein in white. It will be noted that a. portion of the transverse web of the angle member 11 is cut off obliquely, whereby to obviate any projecting portions at the rear of the signal plate 19.

Riveted to the lower edge of the plate 19 is a depending hook 20, on which is adapted to be hung the lantern 21. Formed transversely in the intermediate portion of the upper metal strip 16 is a slot 22 through which is arranged to project an apertured lug 23 which is struck up from the corresponding portion of the lower strip 13, when the strip 16 is disposed against the strip 13, and the clamping ends thereof are pro erly engaged with the head of the rail 10. i Vhen so positioned, the shackle of a padlock 24 is passed through the aperture of the lug 23, whereby to pecurely hold the clampengaged with the ra1 Attention is particularly called to the fact that when the device is properly clamped on the rail, the weight of the signal plate 19,

and the lantern 21, serve to bear downwardly against the angle member, whereby to cause the clamping ends of the strips 13 and 16 to more tightly grip the rail tread. Furthermore, the particular arrangement of the arm and clamp provide for suspending the signal plate, and the lantern, directly over the center of the railway, in position to be best seen by the operator of an approaching car or train.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway, track signal comprising an arm having a signal, arail embracing clamp carried by the lower end of the arm and con-' sisting of a plate secured to the arm and projecting therebeyond and formed for embracing one side of the rail tread, said plate having upstanding apertured lugs on its inner end and a lock receiving struck up lug in its intermediate portion, and a second plate disposed on the first plate and having npstand-i ing apertured lugs to receive pivots there through, said second plate having its outer end projecting beyond the end of the first plate and formed for embracing the other side of the rail tread and provided with an opening to receive the lock receiving lug therethrongh, l

2. A railway track signal comprising an arm L-shaped in cross section, a plate secured to one end of one web of the arm and having an .angularly bent end beyond the end of the arm forming a rail tread clamping jaw, the other end of the plate having parallel apertured ears, a transversely extending apertnred lug struck up from the intermediate portion of the plate, a second plate having apertured ears at one end alining with the first ears to receive a pivot member therethrongh, and an intermediate trans versely extending slot receiving the apertured lug therethrough, said lug being arranged to receive a locking device therefeet a binding action between the clamp and rail tread.

In testimony whereof, I alfix my slgnature.

FRANKLIN WALDEN CARTER. 

